Pittsburgh set for $30M light rail infrastructure improvements
Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAAC) is ready to start a pair of light rail improvement projects in Pittsburgh at a cost of over $30 million. The upgrade of 18 high platform stations along the Red, Blue and Silver lines will include concrete and masonry repair; accessibility improvements; and installation of railings and LED light poles. Separately, concrete track supports in the Downtown Pittsburgh tunnel will be upgraded for the first time since originally constructed in the 1980s. Tunnel work, expected to continue until early 2024, is likely to involve weekend closures. [post-gazette.com]
Colorado Springs study preparing for Front Range rail
The city of Colorado Springs is hiring a consultant to determine where a new train station could be built to serve a proposed Front Range rail line. The $200,000 grant-funded study to examine locations for a station is one of several steps government officials are taking ahead of asking voters to raise sales taxes to support rail service from Fort Collins to Pueblo. Amtrak is expected to run the service and envisions three trips daily between Pueblo and Fort Collins. [gazette.com]
Amtrak adjusts COVID policies pushes return-to-work date
Amtrak has revised its company COVID-19 policies to comply with President Joe Biden’s executive order for federal employees. Biden’s action requires all federal employees to be vaccinated by November 22nd, with no voluntary testing alternative. The deadline applies to Amtrak employees, “red badge” contractors and any other individuals who regularly work at an Amtrak worksite. For new hires, Amtrak is maintaining an October 4th effective date to show full proof of vaccination before the first day of employment. [progressiverailroading.com]
Britain’s Johnson rides rails to meet Amtrak Joe
Could the “very special relationship” between the US and the UK become even more secure now that President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have bonded over their love of trains? Biden famously rode Amtrak between his home in Delaware, and Washington during his years as a senator and vice president. So when, after speaking at the UN, Johnson hopped an Amtrak train in NYC to get to a White House meeting with Biden, the president took note. “You came down on Amtrak, is that right?” Biden asked. Replying that he had, Johnson added “And you are a living deity on Amtrak.” [apnews.com]
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